Joints

Curcuma and Boswellia for the Joints

Curcuma and Boswellia are two herbs that have been used for centuries for their beneficial effects on the joints.

Absorption

Absorbability was always an issue with these herbal supplements. But for several years now, more absorbable and effective phytosomal extracts have been available on the market.

Joints

The joints are part of the musculoskeletal system and include bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and muscles.

The joints are where two or more bones come together. Bones are lined with cartilage and these provide protection and smooth movement for the bones.

Types of joints

There are a variety of joints. Some joints such as the tibia and fibula are immobile. We call them fibrous joints. Others are mobile such as the knee or hip joints. These are called synovial joints. Broadly speaking, there are ball joints, hinge joints, facet joints and roller joints.

Bone structure

The outside of the bone has a compact structure to resist compressive force. This layer is called substantia compacta. The center of the bone is spongy so as not to make the weight too heavy, we also call it substantia spongiosa, and in it you can find the bone marrow and blood vessels.

The bone is surrounded by a periosteum also called periosteum or periosteum. Nerves and blood vessels run through this and tendons and ligaments can be attached to it. Such as knee ligaments and cruciate ligaments.

To indicate which part of the bone we are talking about, we distinguished the following parts; the end of the bone is called the epiphysis. This area provides the cartilage with its nourishment. The diaphysis is the middle part of the bone where new blood cells are formed, and water is also stored here.

The metaphysis is the transition from the diaphysis to the epiphysis. From the metaphysis the growth of the bone takes place.

Cartilage

The ends of a bone are often part of a joint and, to reduce friction, are covered with cartilage. One of the functions of cartilage is to absorb blows and shocks.

Cartilage is composed mainly of water and, in addition, collagen and elastin fibers, proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid.

Proteoglycans have a high water-binding capacity. When pressure is put on collagen fibrils, the proteoglycans release the water. Proteoglycans are surrounded by collagen fibrils. In this way, water can dampen the pressure exerted on the joint.

Glycosaminoglycans also called GAGs are complex carbohydrates that are required for the formation of various parts of joint cartilage. Two important nutrients in this are glucosamine and chondroitin.

In the extracellular matrix of cartilage is a continuous activity of chondrocytes (cartilage cells). This is where cartilage is maintained and formed. Because cartilage contains no blood vessels, it takes longer for cartilage to grow and repair itself.

The space between joints is also called the synovium. The synovium contains synovial fluid and serves as a lubricant between the joints but also supplies nutrients to the cartilage. This fluid is rich in hyaluronic acid.

Extracellular matrix

Extracellular matrix is the structure located outside the cell. An example is connective tissue. It is a large network of molecules that structure and support cells and tissues.

Intercellular space refers to the space inside a cell.

Bone matrix

Bones or bones consist of living tissue that contains different cells. It is composed of different substances and is called the bone matrix. The most important minerals are calcium and phosphate. The main protein in bone is collagen. Collagen contributes to the flexibility of bones while the minerals provide hardness and strength.

The bone matrix consists of osteocytes (bone cells), osteoblasts (bone forming cells) and osteoclasts (bone breaking cells).

In the bone matrix are blood vessels through which nutrients are transported to the cells.

Peak Bone Mass or PBM

Peak Bone Mass or PBM says something about bone density. Bone density increases significantly during childhood and peaks when final height is reached. During this period, osteoblasts are more active compared to osteoclasts. In other words, the bone-forming cells are more active than the bone-breaking cells.

Bone can be very compact with a high bone density but also more porous. So porous, in fact, that there is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis literally means porous bone. There is anemia of bone and this leads to an increased risk of bone fractures.

There can be several causes for this; Acidosis can be a trigger, as well as a deficiency of protein, magnesium, vitamins K and D and calcium.

Bands and tendons

Tires (ligaments) and tendons are made of soft tissue and consist mainly of collagen fibers of type I. Their strength is related to the number and size of collagen fibrils. Collagen fibrils increase in size through physical labor and through (strength) training.

Collagen fibers consist of strands of collagen fibrils. Collagen fibrils are composed of bundles composed of multiple collagen helices. Such a collagen helix is formed by chains of polypeptides (linked amino acids), particularly glycine, proline and hydroxyproline) twisting around each other. That's where name helix comes from.

Ligaments (ligaments) attach bone to bone and tendons attach muscles to bone. Both tendons and ligaments can stretch, but only to a certain extent.

Both ligaments and tendons have poor circulation, making them slow to heal.

Hyaluronic acid

In addition to collagen, hyaluronic acid is an important component for joints. Whereas collagen provides strength and structure, hyaluronic acid provides lubrication and hydration. Hyaluronic acid is the main component of synovia (the space between joints) and is part of cartilage and connective tissue. Outside of joints, hyaluronic acid is also found in the skin and in the eyes.

Hyaluronic acid is made up of long sugar chains and is a substance native to the body belonging to the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). It attaches to collagen and elastin and can hold up to about 30 times its own weight in water.

Written by: Liesbeth Thoen
Reviewed and edited by: Marcella van der Wel

Updated: June 8, 2023